Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Flood Relief.

John McGuinness

Question:

278 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has carried out a survey on the trees along the river bank at John's Bridge and John's Quay, Kilkenny; if his attention has been drawn to the public concern regarding the possible removal of these trees; if the Office of Public Works will discuss the matter with the local authority officials and local public representatives if any work has to be undertaken by them on this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7842/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen)

The Office of Public Works presented a number of options to Kilkenny County Council and Corporation for the alleviation of flooding in Kilkenny city and have received their decision on their preferred option. As part of the preparatory work, the trees in question were surveyed and the public concern regarding the removal of trees was taken into consideration.

The Office of Public Works is currently finalising documents for the public exhibition stage which is designed to retain the maximum number of mature trees in Kilkenny city.

John McGuinness

Question:

279 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has carried out a survey on the River Nore in Kilkenny city to determine the impact on the river flow from the two turbines installed in the mill on the canal side; if Kilkenny Corporation asked for the view or opinion of his Department during the planning process; if so, the opinion or view expressed; the mechanism which is in place within his Department to monitor developments or applications of this kind, which have an impact on river flow and wild life, made to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7843/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen)

The River Nore in Kilkenny city has been surveyed by my officials in the context of investigating the flooding problem. It has not been specifically surveyed to determine the impact on the river of the development mentioned. Kilkenny Corporation wrote to the Office of Public Works in September 1992 and were responded to by the national monuments division, who drew attention to the necessity to have an archaeologist on site during any works. This division has since transferred to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The development in question was advanced prior to the Office of Public Works commencing investigation of the flooding problem in Kilkenny and, in any case, it does not have any adverse effects in times of flooding.

Where a development or application in a watercourse such as the construction of a bridge or weir is referred to the Office of Public Works, the effects are investigated and the observations communicated to the appropriate authority.

The effects on wildlife are a matter for Dúchas, the Heritage Service.